United Republic Of Tanzania -Prime Minister's Office

REMARKS BY HONOURABLE MIZENGO P. PINDA (MP), PRIME MINISTER OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA, DURING THE FIRST ANNUAL ART CAMP AT KILIMANJARO HOTEL KEMPINSKI, 05 FEBRUARY 2010

Honourable William Lukuvi (MP), Regional Commissioner - Dar es Salaam;

Mr. Reto Wittwer, President and Chief Executive Officer,

Kilimanjaro Hotel Kempinski;

Members of the Diplomatic Corp;

Excellencies;

Distinguished Invitees;

Young Tanzanian Artists;

Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is with great honour to join you all in this Kempinski Art Ball Gala Dinner, which is the culmination of the FIRST ANNUAL ART CAMP whereyoungTanzanians had the opportunity to display their talents in the art works, particularly paintings and sculpture. I thank the Management of the Kilimanjaro Hotel Kempinski for the invitation to be the Guest of Honour in this Dinner.

I am pleased that the proceeds of today’s event will be donated half to the Artists, and the other half to the SOS Children’s Village in Tanzania. Globally, SOS Children’s Village is the world's largestorphan and abandoned children's charity institution. It is in this regard that I take this opportunity to congratulate you, Mr. President and Chief Executive Officer of Kempinski and the entire Management Team of this Hotel for championing this idea of helping the Orphans. Indeed, by such events, which you have been organising frequently, Kempinski has demonstrated exemplary corporate social responsibility.

Distinguished Participants;

In an occasion like this one, you will all agree with me that we do not need speeches. We are all prepared for the entertainments, meal courses and more importantly the events that have brought us together – developing the talents of young Tanzanian Artists and raising funds for the needy – the SOS Orphans and abandoned children. However, when I looked at the timetable I saw a place written “speech by the Guest of Honour”. Quickly, I said to myself, what am I going to say?

In my view, I think, today’s event represents two critical areas. Firstly, is the display of talents of young Tanzanian Artists. We have so many Tanzanians who have tremendous talents in different artistic areas, but they lack capital, working tools, exposure, experience and sponsors who could help them to develop their talents. The role of art is to promote and protect social, cultural, traditional and economic values of the society and the country in general. This reminds me of SirWinston Churchill, aBritishPolitician who once said “Without tradition, art is a flock of sheep without a shepherd. Without innovation, it is a corpse”. We, the Government and the private sector have the duty and responsibility to empower our young artists to develop and be able to compete worldwide. Kempinski has shown us the way, I appeal to other institutions, companies and individuals to follow suit.

I am told that the First Annual Art Camphas brought together young Tanzanian Artists below the age of 25 years from approximately seven Regions of Tanzania including Zanzibar. I am particularly impressed that of all Artists, there is only one Lady, Ms. Sharifa Juma Mohamed. Where is She? Please stand up. Please join me in Congratulating Sharifa for her efforts. By organising this camp, Kempinski has not only been able to bring young Tanzanians together to share experiences and exchange views but undoubtedly the camp has also:

· provided employment;

· generated income;

· Developed talents;

· Built confidence;

· Cultivated a culture of self esteem among the Young Artists; and

· Exposed participants to new ways of engagement and doing business.

The vast majority of participating artists have no other form of employment, except their artistic work, and therefore it is critical to be assisted to develop their skills.

Secondly, as I pointed out early, the funds that will be raised today half of it will be donated to the SOS Children’s Village in Tanzania. The SOS raise funds to build Villages, Schools, Medical Centres and pay for running costs. I am told that SOS provides a new family and home for more than 78,000 children in 500 unique Children's Villages in 124 Countries and territories worldwide. I am glad that Tanzania is one of the Countries that have SOS Children’s Village. We have three SOS Children’s Villages in Arusha, Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. The SOS Children’s Villages are really unique as they have a system that provides children with single or both Parents. Through SOS, the orphans and abandoned children always feel at home and cared and it provides children a family life which otherwise they could not have it. The children grow in parents’ hands and guidance.

Distinguished Participants;

What Kempinski has done by bringing together talented Young Artists men and women and organising this Dinner to raise funds for the needy deserves appreciation. Please join me in giving a round of applause for the President and CEO of Kempinski and the entire Management Team for these wonderful events.

On my own behalf and on behalf of the organisers, allow me to recognise and appreciate the presence of Mrs. Anne Clarke, Wife of the European Union Ambassador to Tanzania. I congratulate you, Madam Clarke for being named the Art Camp’s Chief Patron. Please give her a big handof applausefor volunteering her skills to this project. In the same vein, I salute the renowned artist, Mr. Muzu Sulemanji for his service as Art Curator of the Camp.

Distinguished Participants, Excellency, Ladies and Gentlemen;

Let me once again thank you all for coming and participating in this important event. By your attendance, surely you have helped many Tanzanians live a better life than it was yesterday. You have helped many orphans and abandoned children get better health facilities, access education, and live a family life which otherwise could have been a nightmare to them.

God bless you, God bless Kempinski, God bless SOS

and God bless Tanzania